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THREE MORAL GIRLS 


(HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES) 





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Three Moral Girls 



BY 

MRS. SUSIE M. CHAMBERLIN 



Copyright, 1910. 


(All rights reserved. ) 


By Mrs. S. M. Chamberlin 





C o A:i68094 


PREFACE. 


These pages; written in the Spirit of the Master, 
are sent forth in His Name, to help those precious, 
sweet maidens just budding into womanhood, and 
those dear young men who are starting out in life 
with the brightest ambitions for the future. 

Yes, the moral class of either sex, those who 
want to be at their very best at home or abroad, 
that class Christ, our Lord, wants to save to the 
uttermost to be used for His glory as shining lights 
unto Him, to be kept from the evil of this world, 
and to so shine in the darkened places of this 
earth where dear souls do not know the loving 
Saviour, who purchased their salvation by His 
death on Calvary’s Cross by the shedding of His 
blood to set them free. 

“ For without the shedding of blood there is no 
remission of sin.” 

Christ died for the sinner that all may be saved; 
that is, all who believe. There is no salvation for 
the unbeliever. 

Now, a word for the dear parents of our young 
people. The Lord bless them, and may God bring 
out His highest thought for the fathers and mothers 
of the precious children so they may truly say, ” As 
for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” 

Now, may Christ pour out His Holy Spirit in 
convicting and convincing power upon all the dear 
hearts who are not saved, those who want pardon 
can have it, and be made Sons and Daughters of the 
living God. 

May the dear Lord add His choicest blessing upon 
this little volume, and send home by the Spirit the 
words written to the hearts of those who want 
God’s Best, is the earnest prayer of 

THE AUTHOR. 


Come now, and let us reason together, saith the 
Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be 
as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, 
they shall be as wool. — Isaiah i. 18. 

Oh, that the world would taste and see 
The riches of His grace! 

The arms of love that compass me 
Would all mankind embrace. 


I am the door: by Me if any man enter in, he 
shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find 
pasture. — John x. 9. 


For God so loved the world that He gave His only 
begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him 
should not perish, but have everlasting life. — John 
iii. 16. 

A simple text! Its words so few. 

And yet God’s message, sweetly true! 


The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is 
eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. — Ro- 
mans vi. 23. 


Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? 
by taking heed thereto according to Thy word. — 
Psalm cxix. 9. 


It is good that thou shouldest take hold of this. 
— Ecclesiastes vii. 18. 


One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I 
seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the 
Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of 
the Lord, and to enquire in His temple. — Psalm 
xxvii. 4. 


Trust in Him at all times; ye people, pour out 
your heart before Him: God is a refuge for us. — 
Psalm Ixii. 8. 

Hither come! for here is found 
Balm that flows for every wound; 

Peace that ever shall endure. 

Rest eternal, sacred, sure. 



^ ...CONTENTS... ^ 

0<J 


I. 

Invitation to the Theatre . 

• 

11. 

Ruth and Josie’s Discussion 

7 

III. 

The Call on Aunt Abbie . . . 

. 17 

IV. 

Questions Answered 

. 29 

V. 

Invitation Declined . . . 

. 43 

VI. 

Ella in Trouble; Ruthie’s Conversion 

. 51 

VII. 

The Holy Spirit Brooding Over Ella 

. 63 

VIII. 

Six Months Later .... 

. 73 

IX. 

Mission Work .... 

. 85 

X. 

Visiting the Sick .... 

. 97 

XI. 

The Evening at Mrs. Carleton’s . 

. Ill 

XII. 

Bertie Confides in his Sister 

. 121 

XIII. 

Out of the Shadow. Into the Light 

. 129 

XIV. 

In Blessing. I Will Bless Thee With Joy Un- 
speakable .... 

. 137 


Sunshine in the Shadows. 




“ Oh! I am so glad to see you, Ruth, 
and dear little Josie, how do you do? 
What a hug! Oh, my, such a sweet kiss! 
It is wholesome to get such nice, fresh 
kisses, and real invigorating — it is so 
fashionable now, with the hand shake, to 
kiss every lady, no matter how old or ugly, 
how young or handsome.” 

“ Why, Ella, you are as spasmodic as 
ever, you are — Oh, don’t interrupt me, 
Ruth, I was just going down to your 
house — I am going to the theatre.” 

“ Oh, I am so glad,” exclaimed Ruth, 
“ but you always do say such queer things 
— you are so quaint in your manners, and 
original in your remarks.” 


THREE MORAL GIRLS. 


“ Don’t know whether to take that as a 
compliment or not,” laughed Ella. 

“Well, aren’t you glad too, Josie? 
You have n’t said so yet, but of course you 
are, little one. And, Oh, it would be so 
nice if you both could go with me? Can’t 
you? I should enjoy it so much better if 
we could all go together. I don’t believe 
my brother will care a mite — I will ask 
him. It is Bertie, you know, who has in- 
vited me, so we are to have a glorious 
time.” 

“ Oh, don’t ask him for me, dear,” cried 
the tall, stately Ruth — “ all the same I am 
very much obliged for the invitation, but I 
must politely decline, as I have to go to 
the Christian Endeavor; they meet to- 
night to do something about helping those 
little, ragged urchins who have no home 
or comforts like us, you know.” 


2 


THREE MORAL GIRLS. 


“ Oh, Ruthie, how dolefully you talk! 
Dear me, if I did not love you so well, and 
you was n’t one of the best girls I know, I 
could n’t stand your talk about the 
heathen sometimes. Why, go to a place 
like that, and throw away such a fine 
chance of going to the theatre, and such 
good company as Bertie, the dearest 
brother a girl ever had on earth, one of the 
nicest young men you could find in all the 
world — any lady in the land would be 
proud to go to the theatre with my 
brother, and I am sure you have slighted 
me ; if it was n’t you, Ruth, I would be 
really provoked.” 

“ Now, dear Ella, I do not slight your 
invitation, so you may save yourself the 
trouble of being provoked, for you know 
well enough it is not my own choice; I 


3 


THREE MORAL GIRLS. 


would much rather go with you, and, of 
course, feel highly honored to go with so 
nice a young man as Bertie, but I have 
promised Mamma, and don’t see how I 
can do any other way than go. Why, it 
was only last night that she cried so, when 
she thought about those homeless, neg- 
lected ones. And, you know, they are 
going to try to start a fund for the desti- 
tute children to-night, so Mamma will go 
any way. Of course, us girls don’t under- 
stand it, and it will be very dry to me, 
especially as there are to be two Foreign 
Missionaries there to speak. But I shall 
try to think what a good time you are 
having, and endure it for dear mother’s 
sake.” 

For Ruthie dearly loved that mother, 
who had been so much to her since her 


4 


THREE MORAL GIRLS. 


father had been laid away in the grave on 
that cold winter day, with the feeling she 
should never see him more. 

“ But now, J osie may answer for her- 
self, for she has been eagerly waiting for 
some time to accept your very polite invi- 
tation.” 

“ Well, really, Ella, your invitation was 
very sweet. I think it would be very nice 
to go, and should deem it quite a privilege 
to go with you and Bertie, if Mamma is 
willing, and I have no doubt she will be.” 

“You dear, sweet child, that is just like 
you, Josie, Now I will hurry, and go in 
and see Bertie.” 

“ Oh, I thought you were going down 
to our house,” cried Ruth. “ Well, that 
was before I met you, so you see that it 
was quite providential, and I shan’t have 


5 


THREE MORAL GIRLS. 


more than time if I go to Bertie’s store, 
and perhaps I can come home with him in 
the team. So be sure and come early if 
your Mamma is willing, Josie.” Another 
hug and kiss, and away she merrily 
tripped, with a light heart, nothing on her 
mind to disturb, and only bent on having 
“ a glorious time,” as she called it, at the 
theatre. 


6 


CHAPTER II 


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But as the bright, laughing girl left her 
companions, a feeling hard to define came 
upon the sweet girl Josie. She did not 
understand it, but in her heart she almost 
wished she was to go with Ruth to the 
Christian Endeavor, though she would 
not dare to utter such a speech. Poor 
J osie, she began now to remember some of 
her mother’s teaching, and wondered if 
the theatre was the place for her to go 
after all, and her heart became heavy. 
But Ruthie, catching a side glimpse of her 
exclaimed, ‘‘ Oh, Josie, what has driven 
that sweet smile from your face? It would 
almost seem you were troubled, or at least 
puzzled about some great scheme you had 
undertaken, and you could not see any- 


THREE MORAL GIRLS. 


thing but tremendous mistakes you had 
tumbled into. That would answer for 
older folks, but not for Josie Freeman. 
Do tell us, dear, what troubles you. I 
thought as soon as Ella Goodwin went 
you could not speak of anything else but 
the joyous time you were going to have 
to-night. How I did envy you! But in- 
stead of that you have not spoken one 
word since she left us, and you have be- 
come really as solemn as an owl.” 

“ That is just it, Ruthie. I do not know 
how to explain, or whether it need to be 
explained. I never was so troubled be- 
fore— ” 

“ Mercy! child, what is it? You nearly 
take my breath away. Have you become 
frightened at the bare idea, of the im- 
mensity of the stupendous honor con- 


10 


THREE MORAL GIRLS. 


f erred upon you by being permitted to go 
in company with Mr. Bertie Goodwin, 
‘ one of the best young men in the world,’ 
as Ella styles it? Has it overpowered you, 
child? Tell me quickly, and I will extri- 
cate you, or perish in the attempt.” 

“ Oh, Ruthie, Ruthie, do stop,” laughed 
Josie, though the laugh was not so clear 
and free as usual. “ It is not as serious as 
that, I hope, but really, Ruth, I don’t 
know as I have done right in accepting so 
hurriedly an invite to the theatre, even 
with such good company.” 

“ Oh! my,” drawled Ruth, with a comi- 
cal grin, “ don’t I wish I could change 
places with Josie Freeman to-night ! You 
are just the one to enjoy a prayer meet- 
ing. Mercy on me ! And I the theatre — 
what a distinction! And really, I am as 


11 


THREE MORAL GIRLS. 


good as you, Josie. What has come over 
you, you little goose ? Dear me, would n’t 
Ella feel flattered? ” and again she 
laughed merrily. “It is too rich — I 
declare — ” 

“ Stop laughing at me, Ruthie. I can- 
not tell you more, unless, unless ” — and 
the tears gushed forth, and the poor child 
gave vent to her feelings, which had so 
long been pent up in the heart of the pure, 
unsullied girl. 

“ Oh, Josie! you dear, precious, sweet 
girl, you darling, you know how I love 
you. I was not laughing at you, but it 
was all so comical. Now, dear, dry your 
tears, little one, and tell me all about it, 
and I will help you just the best I can. 
Ella has had hard luck — seems to me she 
had better have gone alone, and said noth- 
ing to any one. Perhaps Mr. Bertie 


12 


THREE MORAL GIRLS. 


would n’t have cared for our company, 
after all? He did not give us the invita- 
tion. You are a wise little head, Josie, 
and you have one of the best Mammas. 
Of course, she will set this matter to rights 
quickly.” 

“ I ought not to have been so hasty to 
have promised ; I should have asked 
Mamma first. Do you think, Ruth, it is 
perfectly right?” said she, somewhat 
calmed by Ruthie’s love and devotion to 
her, for really, Ruth was a good girl, but 
like all High School girls, she liked fun, 
even if it was at some one else’s expense. 
But she dearly loved her little friend, and 
would have gone to any length, in her 
energetic way, to have been of any assist- 
ance to her. 

“ Do you really think it is right,” she 


13 


THREE MORAL GIRLS. 


again reiterated, “to go to such places? ” 

“ And why not, pray? What is there 
wrong about it? What harm? We are 
good, moral girls. No, I see no harm in 
going; I like to go, and it is nice and 
fashionable, and everybody goes.’’ 

“ Yes, even professors of religion.” 

“ Oh, yes, don’t you know some 
churches allow their members to go to the- 
atres. I know of one young lady who 
would not join a church because the pastor 
did not approve of dancing and theatres, 
so she united with another one, where the 
minister did uphold such things.” 

“ You don’t mean it, Ruth.” 

“ Yes, indeed.” 

“ But here we are just opposite Aunt 
Abbie’s. Let us go in a minute. I have 
an errand to do for Mamma — she wants 


14 


THREE MORAL GIRLS. 


her to go to the meeting to-night. Per- 
haps she will help us out a little on this 
question.” 


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CHAPTER III 





“ Well, girls, how do you do? ” said 
Aunt Abbie, shaking hands with them 
both. “You are looking as fresh as rose- 
buds. May the dear Lord always keep 
3^ou so.” 

“ How do you do. Auntie? Mamma 
sent me over to see if you would go to the 
Christian Endeavor to-night. You know 
they are going to try to raise money for 
the poor children.” 

“ Yes, I think I will gladly go with her 
to-night. I do not know of anything now 
to hinder, for there is need enough for 
every child of God to go, and help, when 
they can have such a blessed privilege.” 

“ JNIamma will be pleased to have you 
go, I am sure.” 

“ Your mother tells me you are going, 
Ruth.” 


19 


THREE MORAL GIRLS. 


“ Yes, I promised to go.” Really, 
Ruth’s cheeks reddened, but she did not 
know why, as she replied to Aunt Abbie. 

“ And do you go, too, Josie? It will be 
very interesting.” But Josie did not know 
how to answer, and never before had 
words failed Ruth, but with a hasty effort 
she finally said, “ No, Aunt Abbie, Josie 
has accepted an invitation to go to the the- 
atre, and I should have done the same if 
it had not been for my promise to Mamma 
about this Endeavor Meeting.” 

She was a brave girl, and she said it to 
shield Josie, to cover her confusion, but 
she felt like bursting into tears, and 
wished she had not been obliged to say 
anything about the theatre, for somehow 
she felt very uncomfortable, with Aunt 
Abbie’s pure eyes looking straight into 
hers, as she gave the answer. 


20 


THREE MORAL GIRLS. 


“ Well, dear, I think the prayer-meet- 
ing will be the better place for you to go 
to-night, and I wish Josie was going, too. 
Is your mother quite willing for you to go 
with Ella, Josie? ” 

“ Oh, Mrs. Parker, my own dear 
mother ” — (And Josie was on the point 
of bursting into tears again — what had 
come over the child?) “ My own dear 
mother does not know ; I was hasty in ac- 
cepting, and so I came in with Ruthie to 
ask you some questions about it, though 
I really do not know how I can alter it 
now, if Mamma is willing,” said Josie all 
in a breath. “ Oh, I do so wish I 
had n’t said I would go ! Dear Mrs. 
Parker, would you think it wrong to go 
to the theatre? ” 

“ Decidedly; it is no place for a Chris- 
tian, and I really should have no desire to 


21 


THREE MORAL GIRLS. 


go. Since I gave my heart to the Lord 
when I was a young girl like you He took 
all such desires away. Praise His dear 
Name! I could not serve Him truthfully 
if I entered into such worldly pastimes as 
that.” 

“ Yes, yes, but do you really think it is 
a sin? Why, Christians do go to the the- 
atre,” said Josie. 

“Yes, Auntie, I know they do,” Ruth 
exclaimed, with peculiar emphasis, “ and 
I do love to go myself, and can see no 
harm in it.” 

“ Did you ever talk with your mother 
on this subject, Ruth? ” 

“ Not very much. Auntie. You know 
she always feels so bad if I love to do those 
things she does not enjoy. Poor Mamma, 
I wish she would go out into society more 
— I think it would do her good.” 


22 


THREE MORAL GIRLS. 


“ Well; I should not want a daughter 
of mine to be fond of going to such places, 
and I am sure, dear, you would derive 
much more benefit, and be a great deal 
happier, if you were a good, Christian 
girl, and doing the works of your Lord 
and Master, if you did not love, and were 
not so fond of such worldly life. You are 
a dear, good girl, Ruth, but you need the 
Saviour’s guiding hand to lead you. You 
do not know the sweetness of the life of a 
true Christian, or you would never put off 
longer this important step, of giving your- 
self wholly to Christ, and following in His 
footsteps instead of that of His enemy.” 

“ Oh, Auntie, am I really bad; so bad 
that I am following Christ’s enemy? ” 

“ Christ says, ‘ He that is not for us is 
against us. ’ ” To this Ruth made no re- 


23 


THREE MORAL GIRLS. 


ply, and Auntie continued. “ I really be- 
lieve, Ruth, God will bless you to-night 
by the sacrifice you make in pleasing your 
mother rather than yourself. I only wish 
Josie was going, too.” 

“ So do I,” assented Josie. 

“ Well, do you know, I believe she 
would enjoy the meeting. Auntie. I 
cannot see why it is a sin to go to the the- 
atre, dances, and all such nice places. 
Now, will you give me some good reasons 
why you think it is wrong, for professed 
Christians do go? They like it or they 
would not be found there so often, and 
really. Auntie, I can see why professed 
Christians should not be found there, for 
I am sure it would be no place for you or 
Mamma, Uncle Len, or Josie’s mother, so 
I can readily see why real Christians 


24 


THREE MORAL GIRLS. 


ought not to go. But some churches allow 
it, for I told Josie about a friend who 
would not unite with one church you 
know, where the pastor did not allow 
dancing or theatre going. So she joined 
one where the minister did uphold it.” 

“ Well, may God help that pastor! We 
will call those who go, ‘ professed ’ Chris- 
tians, but truly, if those people who pro- 
fessed religion, really and truly were con- 
secrated to God, and were close followers 
of Christ, I cannot think the dear Lord 
would ever lead them to any such place, 
nor will they have any inclination to go 
there. They may be professors of religion, 
but they have lost their first love, and have 
wandered out into worldliness, and have 
become lukewarm. May Jesus so convict 
and convert that pastor, who upholds 


25 


THREE MORAL GIRLS. 


those sinful pleasures, that he will preach 
Christ to his people, and not countenance 
anything that would lead to wrong doing, 
or be helpful to the enemy of our souls. 
May he help his people to forsake worldli- 
ness, and draw nigh to God. May the 
Holy Spirit of God speak to such an one 
with mighty convicting and convincing 
power, and show him the snare he is set- 
ting for unwary feet.” 

“ Oh, dear, I do know Christians ought 
not to go. Oh, Auntie, I know now they 
never ought to be seen inside of such a 
place. If I was a Christian I know I 
could not go; but for us girls, you know, 
who do not profess, why, surely, there is 
no harm, for we are good, moral girls, and 
no one can point the finger of scorn at us. 
Our lives, thoughts, and feelings are pure. 


26 


THREE MORAL GIRLS. 


our character without spot or blemish, as 
every one knows — for you know, Auntie, 
everybody loves Mamma, — she is the 
dearest Christian, and Josie Freeman, 
why, she is the sweetest of all girls — 
every one loves her, you know; she, I am 
sure, is a model young lady; you will ad- 
mit that. Auntie, and surely, it could do 
no harm for us to go, or Ella Goodwin.” 

“ Yes, of course,” replied Aunt Abbie, 
“ Josie is a very nice girl; I admit all you 
say about the good, moral character of 
you girls. They all lay Josie’s sweetness 
and purity to her dear mother’s Christian 
influence, and prayers to our dear heaven- 
ly Father to shield her daughter from all 
evil, and so trusting in God, and doing 
what she could herself to implant good 
morals and pure thoughts into that young 


27 


THREE MORAL GIRLS. 

mind, Josie has come up to a nice young 
lady, whom any mother would be proud 
of.’’ 


28 


CHAPTER IV 


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“ Now, I will try and answer your 
questions, God helping me, about good, 
sweet, moral girls being seen in such 
places, and may our Heavenly Father 
bring the truth home to your hearts this 
afternoon, as He would have it, and make 
it a blessing to you both, for we have 
proved that professors of religion cannot 
take Jesus with them to that worldly 
place, and they surely do not work for the 
Master there.” 

“ No, Auntie, I suppose not. Why, it 
would hardly do to talk Christianity to the 
one that invited us — it would be rather 
out of place, to say the least,” laughed 
Ruthie. 


31 


THREE MORAL GIRLS. 


“ Well, then,” resumed Auntie, “ in 
that case professed Christians had better 
not go, if they cannot take their best 
friend, and speak about Him to their com- 
panions; true Christians will never go 
anywhere where they cannot take their 
Lord and Saviour with them, and, to my 
mind, a truly consecrated soul would 
never have a desire to participate in any 
such scenes. 

“ Now, to begin with your last question, 
Ruth, I would first ask, is the theatre a 
strictly moral place? Are actors and ac- 
tresses, as a rule, strictly moral people? 
Are they moral in their dress, and in their 
conversation? Is there nothing impure 
in either their words or actions that 
would — ” 

“ Oh, Aunty! ” 


32 


THREE MORAL GIRLS. 


“ My child, we must look right into the 
face of this thing, so we may see both sides 
aright. I ask you again, can going to the 
theatre, balls, or any such place, elevate 
our morals, or is it the opposite? Can a 
pure woman or man go and sit through a 
whole performance and see or hear noth- 
ing to shock their sense of propriety? I 
tell you, Ruth, it can’t be done.” 

“ Oh, Mrs. Parker, I am really shocked. 
I did not know I was so wicked in 
wanting to go, but now I understand 
the feelings I had, and that is what put me 
in such a dilemma, and you were so good 
to explain to us. And why did I not know 
it before? I can see now many reasons 
why good, moral girls should not go.” 

“True, Josie; can purity look at im- 
purity, and be in such close contact with 


33 


THREE MORAL GIRLS. 


it, and not be contaminated by thought, if 
not in word or deed? Can pure eyes look 
upon impurity, and such disgraceful danc- 
ing as they often have in the ballet? One 
pure-minded young man said, when he 
saw the ballet dancers for the first time, 
‘ What would my mother and sisters say 
to that? ’ and he coolly left the house, 
never to enter it again.” 

“ You say, ‘ everybody goes,’ yet, dear 
girls, there is a class who go there whom 
we all know full well, that are not moral 
— a licentious people, whose rude jokes 
and filthy jesting can often be heard by 
those pure, unsullied ears, and they would 
be shocked beyond measure should they 
hear it anywhere else. If we mix with 
this class, do we not put ourselves, at least, 
on a par with them — we certainly recog- 


34 


THREE MORAL GIRLS. 


nize it by going. If we as good, nice, 
moral girls go, think of our influence to 
those who are not? It is dreadful! ’’ 

“ How do you know all these things. 
Auntie ? ” 

“ Well, child, I was young once my- 
self.” 

“ And did you ever go to theatres? I 
never could have believed it of you.” 

“ Yes, dear, I did go, and I was a good, 
moral girl, too.” 

“Of course, you were. Auntie.” 

“ I went many times persuaded by lov- 
ing friends, but I never received any good, 
on the contrary, found it rather demoral- 
izing than otherwise. But I did come to see 
the error of my way, and the inconsistency 
of my going. Two young girls, dear 
friends, one of them a very near friend 


35 


THREE MORAL GIRLS. 


of mine, so much liked to go that they be- 
came acquainted with one of the actors. 
They were both good girls at the start, of 
good parentage. One escaped; the other 
fell. She joined the ballet corps; sickness 
and disease came upon her, and she fell 
into an early grave. She went behind the 
foot-lights as a ballet dancer — she loved 
to go so well, and was so infatuated, but 
destruction was before her. Oh, girls, if 
such corruption can be seen outside of the 
foot-lights, what must it be behind the 
scenes? Some of the same people that 
would sit and see such obscene actions, 
and hear such licentious talk as is often 
heard in the theatre, would be horrified to 
hear it elsewhere.” 

“ Well, Auntie, I do thank you so 
much. I know you are right about the 


36 


THREE MORAL GIRLS. 


theatres, and I never want to go again, 
and, if my influence is anything, it shall 
not be on the side of wrong.” 

“ But, Oh, Mrs. Parker,” said Josie, 
“ you see how I felt it all, and did not 
know what it meant, but it was the natural 
shrinking from evil.” 

“ Yes, dear, and the good Lord Him- 
self held you by your mother’s prayers, 
and though you made a mistake. He 
would not let the enemy of your soul 
triumph, but brought you into the light of 
His Holy Spirit. Oh! if Christians would 
pray more, much evil would be averted, 
and their dear ones be saved in Christ.” 

“ Well, I never had any desire for danc- 
ing, and I am glad now Mamma would 
never permit me,” explained Josie. 


37 


THREE MORAL GIRLS. 


“ What, dancing! you surely would not 
condemn that, Auntie. What would you 
have a young lady do? ” said Ruth? 

“Not dancing in itself do I condemn, 
but Oh, it has led so many to destruction. 
Look into the Woman’s Penitentiary to- 
day, into any number of the cells there, 
and see the human wrecks to be found. 
Missionaries and Evangelists can tell us 
some sad, truthful stories about their first 
wrong steps in the nice Dancing Academy 
and fashionable balls, where only the 
nicest, purest young girls can he admitted. 
But they do not look up young men’s 
characters quite so sharply — it is not so 
essential to know about their purity. 
When I get to thinking of these things I 
want to exclaim to every mother : ‘ Shield 
your innocent lamb from the dance as well 


38 


THREE MORAL GIRLS. 


as the theatre.’ But good, pure, moral 
young men, and fresh, pure, unsullied 
school girls, do you think it is the best 
place to educate them in? Many a fair 
flower has taken the downward path to 
destruction by going to a theatre, and 
learning to be fashionable. Many a brave 
young man, with the best of morals, has 
been led into impurity and crime by see- 
ing the ballet dancer.” 

“ But we. Auntie — ” 

“Yes, I know you might not be 
tempted to any such thing; still, you ad- 
mit if you were there you would have to 
see it. Now, did not those young men and 
maidens think the same before they fell? 
But the tempter hurled them to the lowest 
depths.” 


39 


THREE MORAL GIRLS. 


“ Oh, Auntie, I will never go again, and 
I will use my influence against it all the 
days of my life. I know this is the turn- 
ing point in my life, for many times when 
I have wanted to become a Christian the 
tempter would come in, in the shape of a 
ball or theatre, and I am glad now I am 
going to the Christian Endeavor to-night, 
and I know I shall enjoy it. And as I 
helped to get dear little Josie into this 
dilemma, I will do my best to get her out 
of it by going right down to Ella’s, and 
tell her we have been behind the scenes of 
the theatre this afternoon. And Josie has 
come to the conclusion she had rather go 
with me to the Christian Endeavor.” 

“ Oh, you dear, dear Ruthie! ” 

“ Come along, Jo — I told you I would 
get you out or perish in the attempt.” For 


40 


THREE MORAL GIRLS. 


Ruth only had to see the right to take a 
bold stand. 

“ Good-bye, Auntie.” 

“ Good-bye, dear girls, until we meet 
again to-night.” 

“ Now, if we get home from Ella’s in 
time, perhaps Josie’s mother will go with 
us. Won’t that be nice. Auntie? ” and a 
glad assent was given, so away they ran as 
fast as they could go, with light and happy 
hearts. 


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CHAPTER V 



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Ella had not yet returned, so only Mrs. 
Goodwin had to be confronted, but Ruth 
was spokesman, and so she hurriedly said : 

‘‘We stayed so long at Aunt Parker’s 
that Josie has not been home yet, but she 
has concluded she had rather go with me. 
We are all going together to hear them 
talk about the poor children I was telling 
Ella about this afternoon.” 

“ Oh, yes, Mrs. Goodwin,” cried honest 
Josie, “ I did not consider it as I ought to, 
and I had rather go to the meeting. And 
I am going to give my five dollars Mam- 
ma gave me yesterday to buy gloves with, 
to the little heathen that Ruth told about.” 

“And I will put in my ten dollars,” 
said Ruth, “ that I had saved up for 


45 


THREE MORAL GIRLS. 


knick-knacks, which I can do very well 
without ; I will give it as a thank offering.” 
And only the Lord and Josie knew what 
she meant, for Ruth felt they had both 
had a narrow escape. 

“You are dear, good girls,” exclaimed 
Mrs. Goodwin. “ I feel Ella will be dis- 
appointed, but I wish she was more hke 
you. She is a dear, dear precious daugh- 
ter, but I would much rather have both of 
my children going to the prayer-meeting 
than to the theatre. But Ella was so 
bright and happy, I did not have courage 
to persuade her from it.” 

Oh, mother, mother, when will you have 
the courage to stop your erring child? 
When she gets past your help? Then it 
will be too late. There may come no harm 
to your darhngs, but many mothers’ 


46 


THREE MORAL GIRLS. 


hearts yet will be broken for upholding 
those sinful pleasures, and only God 
knows whether you will be among the 
number. 

“ But it is a great pity that Mrs. Good- 
win is so easy. She really feels as if it 
was wrong to let Ella go,” said Ruth, as 
they took their homeward journey. 

“ Yes, indeed, and she has not the cour- 
age to tell her right from wrong. If that 
had been the case with Mrs. Parker we 
should not be the happy girls we are to- 
night, Ruthie. I do hope I will never be 
afraid to proclaim the truth. I know you 
never will, for you are always so cour- 
ageous.” 

“ Thank you, dear, for the compliment, 
but I guess some one else I know of would 


47 


THREE MORAL GIRLS. 


never hold back when it was right for her 
to speak, at least, I have always found it 
so.” 

‘‘ Now, let’s stop complimenting each 
other, and see what can be done for poor 
Ella. My heart aches for her.” 

“ Oh, dear Josie, that has troubled me 
ever since I said I would not go again, be- 
cause I saw the wickedness of what might 
come of upholding these pleasures. I 
mean to ask Mamma to-night about Ella, 
and have a long talk with her — I know 
she will help me.” 

‘‘ That is just what I was going to do 
when I went home. I know my mother 
could help us, for she dearly loves Ella. 
But here are the cross-roads, and we must 
part for a while. Good-bye, until to- 
night.” 


48 


THREE MORAL GIRLS. 


And the two friends embraced each 
other lovingly and separated, one to go to 
a grand house in Egleston Square, and 
the other to Widow Freeman’s residence 
on Baker Street. 


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CHAPTER VI 



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“ Oh, dear, it seems as if everything 
went wrong to-day. How very hateful 
everything does turn out.” 

“ Why, Ella,” exclaimed her mother, 
“ I never saw you so cross before. What 
is the trouble, darling? I thought you had 
such enjoyment last night you would be 
exceptionally nice to-day, but my dear 
child, you have n’t seemed like yourself at 
all. Does your head ache, dear? ” 

“ Oh, yes, but that is n’t all.” 

“ Well, Ella,” said Mr. Goodwin, as he 
was hanging up his hat and coat in the 
hall, “ your manner is not as agreeable as 
usual — what has happened? ” 

“ Oh, Pa, I really don’t know.” And 
Ella burst into a flood of tears. “ I am 


53 


THREE MORAL GIRLS. 


such a silly girl — I am so sorry I made 
you all feel bad.” 

“ Well, I guess I will not take you to 
the theatre again, Ella, if we are going to 
be treated to this kind of a performance,” 
said Bertie. 

“ Come right here, child,” said Mr. 
Goodwin, for he was very much concerned 
about his daughter, as this was something 
unusual, for Ella, who always had such a 
sunny disposition. “ Tell your father, 
pet, what the trouble is, quickly.” 

“ Well, Ella, did have a rough old time 
ofit — ” 

“ My son, do not use such language be- 
fore me, but if there is anything to tell I 
will hear it now, as your sister is unable to 
talk on account of her suffering at the 
present time,” for she was weeping bit- 
terly. 


54 


THREE MORAL GIRLS. 


‘‘ Well, father, in the first place she did 
not enjoy the theatre — she did n’t have a 
bit good time, but I guess she was a little 
disappointed about that little Josie Free- 
man not going with us, and it seemed as if 
everything went wrong with her, and the 
play was not as good as usual. Then 
when we were coming out one of the loaf- 
ers stepped on her handsome new dress 
(which was made for the last concert), 
and tore quite a lot of the nice fringe; 
then he insulted her by smiling into her 
face, for which I wanted to knock him 
down, father, and should have done so if 
it had not been for two friends whom you 
are acquainted with. Pa, — they were 
close beside us, though unobserved at that 
time, but if ever I see him alone I will 
teach him not to insult my sister. But 


55 


THREE MORAL GIRLS. 


poor Ella, she got so frightened. These 
friends closed right around us, so I had 
no chance, and Ella was afraid he would 
remember me and hurt me some time, be- 
cause he was such a desperate looking fel- 
low — as far as looks went, think he would 
have been glad to have finished me. But 
I was not at all afraid of him — should 
have knocked him down, if I had had the 
chance, for insulting any lady I was with, 
let alone my dear sister.” 

“ Oh, my son, my son,” cried Mrs. 
Goodwin, “ how can you talk so? What 
shall I do, to hear my boy speak in such 
terms as that — why he might have killed 
you! ” 

“ Now, mother,” said Mr. Goodwin, “ I 
think we have had explanation enough for 
the present. Bertie is all right; Ella is all 


56 


THREE MORAL GIRLS. 


right — nobody hurt, and the man can do 
no more harm. You say it was two of my 
old friends. We will discuss that later on, 
my son. I am very thankful to them for 
helping my boy and girl, you may be sure, 
and everything has turned out all right — 
she is in her father’s arms — no one can 
hurt her. Now, give me a kiss, pet, and 
we will go to supper, for the biscuits are 
getting cold, and Sarah Ann will scowl 
and think they are not appreciated.” 

Mrs. Goodwin, just before tea was over, 
said, “ Sarah Ann was at the Missionary 
Meeting last night — she and Ella have 
had quite a confidential chat about it. 
Have you heard, Bertie, that Ella’s 
friend, Ruth, was converted last night, or 
stood up for prayers, at least.” 

“ Mother, don’t — ” 


57 


THREE MORAL GIRLS. 


“ Why, what is the matter, Ella,” cried 
Bertie, “ we are not going to have another 
circus, are we? ” 

“ That will do, Bertie,” said his father, 
and the meal was finished almost in sil- 
ence. But at the close, as he took up his 
hat to go out, he kissed his sister tenderly, 
and said, “ Never mind, Ella, perhaps it 
will be me next that will stand for prayers, 
because I do admire Ruthie, you know, 
and I do believe her to be a very sincere 
girl. But you don’t look pleased — you 
look as though all your friends had for- 
saken you.” 

To tell the truth, Ella was vexed with 
Ruth. And now to hear Bertie talk that 
way was almost too much to bear. What 
a day she had of it! First, that terrible, 
stinging headache when she got up — then 


58 


THREE MORAL GIRLS. 


that horrid prayer-meeting affair that 
Sarah Ann had heen delighted to talk 
about — her best friend had left her, and 
even drawn Josie away with her, and now 
Bertie. All things seemed to conspire 
against her, and she actually frowned, in- 
stead of the bright smile that usually came 
to her face, as she replied, “ So I suppose 
I have lost my brother, too.” 

“ Oh, Ella, why should you say ‘ lost? ^ 
I thought, I thought. Sis, you loved me so 
you would be glad to know it. I have 
been wanting to talk to you for some time 
about this, but I find no sympathy, so I 
don’t understand.” And Bertie went 
away grieved. 

“ Oh, dear, what have I done? What 
shall I do? What terrible mistakes I al- 
ways get into! Will this wretched. 


59 


THREE MORAL GIRLS. 


wretched day never end? And if it does, 
things will be just the same to-morrow. 
I have lost all my best school friends, and 
have wounded my poor, dear, darling 
brother’s feelings. I shall never forget 
that sorrowful look he gave me, to my 
dying day.” And away she went to her 
room as speedily as possible, without say- 
ing “ good-night ” to Mamma. And this 
talk with Bertie had been carried on in an 
undertone, so her father had not noticed, 
as he had been reading his evening paper. 

She had not been gone many minutes 
when her mother missed her, and felt very 
much troubled, and she silently followed 
her daughter to her room. As she gave a 
gentle rap on the door she listened a mo- 
ment, but she could only hear sobs; she 
would not intrude, so she waited for an 


60 


THREE MORAL GIRLS. 


answer, as she softly called her daughter’s 
name. 

Mrs. Goodwin had felt the effects of the 
prayer-meeting strangely since morning. 
It seemed as though Ruth’s gentle spirit, 
and Josie’s tender manner was ever before 
her. She was not one mite surprised when 
she heard of Ruth’s leadings, and ever 
since they went away the night before she 
had somehow seen her duty clearer to her 
own daughter, and had felt the gentle in- 
fluence of the Holy Spirit all that day, 
and was glad when an opportunity offered 
to comfort her daughter. And, “ Oh, 
Heavenly Father,” she breathed in prayer, 
“ Help me to give her Thy words of com- 
fort wherewith I have been comforted,” 
and she felt the peace of God upon her, 
and knew she had her answer. 


61 


THREE MORAL GIRLS. 


And as she waited for her child to speak 
her sobs grew loud and louder, and the 
dear mother felt she must enter. She 
silently took Ella in her arms, and God 
held them both, for a time, until her sobs 
grew fainter, and she became somewhat 
calmed. The storm for a while had swept 
away, for was she not safe in her mother’s 
arms, and somehow she felt the dear 
mother’s prayers ? 


62 


CHAPTER VII 




‘‘ Now, Ella, dear, do you feel like talk- 
ing a little? ” She nestled close to her 
mother and pressed her hand, which signi- 
fied her willingness to hear her mother 
talk. 

“ Does your head ache much now, 
dear? ’’ 

“No, Mamma, it does n’t ache at all 
now. But, Oh, I have been so wicked.” 

“ Well, dear, are you sorry for it? ” 

“ Oh! yes. Mamma.” 

“ Well, then, let us tell Jesus all about 
it. I have been praying for you, dear, 
ever since I knew you were in trouble. I 
asked Him to take away that terrible sick 
headache of yours, and make it all well, so 
we could have a little talk about Himself. 


65 


THREE MORAL GIRLS. 


I asked Him while I had you in my arms, 
darling, and He has sweetly answered, 
dear. Jesus says, ‘ The prayer of faith 
shall save the sick, and the Lord shall 
raise him up, and if he have committed 
sins they shall be forgiven him.’ ” — Jas. 
5 . 15 . 

But, Oh, mother, I have been so wicked ! 
Can God really answer prayer for me? 
But I want to tell you all about it.” 

“ Yes, dear, for God loves you; He says 
so in His Word: ‘ Though your sins be as 
scarlet they shall be white as snow.’ — Isa. 
1 : 18 . And again, ‘ Come unto me all ye 
that labor and are heavy laden, and I will 
give you rest.’ — Matt. 11 : 28 . And He 
also says (and you have shown your will- 
ingness to do it, Ella), and that is, ‘ Con- 
fess your faults one to another, that ye 
may be healed.’ ” — Jas. 5 : 16 . 


66 


THREE MORAL GIRLS. 


Ella knew that God would answer her 
mother’s prayers; she could believe that 
He loved her ; but she had been so wicked, 
and she could not quite forgive Ruth for 
leaving her for those heathen. And then, 
had she not been the means of her saying 
wrong things to Bertie, and making her 
behave rudely to him? 

So Ella opened her heart to her mother, 
and told her all her fears and trials, and 
she, strengthened by the Lord for the 
blessed light which He had given her 
through Ella, about her dear Bertie hav- 
ing a desire to be a Christian, fell upon her 
knees in thankfulness to Him who was 
working and undertaking in her behalf, 
because timid as she was, she had made up 
her mind to do her best to bring Ella to 
His feet that evening, and that she would 


67 


THREE MORAL GIRLS. 


not spare herself in any way, but she 
would hold up Jesus to the best of her 
ability to the dear girl who was dying of 
sin and self. 

Oh! how these “ everlasting arms ” 
were holding her up just now! Oh, the 
sweetness of prayer — how Jesus answers 
believing prayer! For Josie and Ruth’s 
mother, and Aunt Abbie, when they heard 
the girls tell about dear Mrs. Goodwin’s 
weakness in spiritual matters, went into 
the little ante-room before meeting, and 
poured out their hearts to God in prayer, 
that He would move mightily that night 
for the dear mother, and save Ella at any 
cost. And fervent prayers went up for 
the whole Goodwin family. 

So we see the mighty workings of God 
in answer to their prayer. For God says : 


68 


THREE MORAL GIRLS. 


‘‘If two of you shall agree on earth as 
touching anything they shall ask, it shall 
be done for them of my father which is in 
heaven ” ; and again, “ Where two or 
three are gathered together in my name, 
there am I in the midst of them.” — Matt. 
18:19-20. 

Christians, take courage, and pray for 
your dear ones that God will answer, for 
His promises are sure ; they are “ yea and 
amen ” to His children. And Mrs. Good- 
win had prayed long and earnestly for her 
dear boy and girl, as she had been a Chris- 
tian many years, though a very weak one 
at times. She had not lived up to all her 
privileges. But the blessing of God had 
come to her to-night through her dear boy. 

And strengthened by believing prayer 
(though she knew it not), by those dear 


69 


THREE MORAL GIRLS. 


ones who had prayed for her, she had 
made a new and thorough consecration to 
the Lord Jesus that she would be a better 
and stronger Christian than ever before, 
and take new life and strength from Him- 
self. And so she made a definite surren- 
der of herself to Him who was all in all, 
and wherein she thought she could talk to 
Ella, she could only pray. But it was the 
Holy Ghost prayer, and God was pleased 
to answer. 

Oh, mothers, stand firm for God! “ Be 
not weary in well doing, for in due season 
ye shall reap, if ye faint not.” And so the 
dear woman stayed with her daughter till 
about the hour of midnight. But she had 
led her safely to Jesus, and the angels 
were singing and rejoicing over one more 
sinner that had repented, and found peace 
through the blood of the Lamb. 


70 


THREE MORAL GIRLS. 


She had sweetly kissed Ella good-night, 
and returning through the hall, she 
breathed a silent prayer as she stood by 
her son’s room, for the mercy of God that 
had rested upon her household that day. 
Never before had she been so happy; 
there was so much for her to do for Jesus. 
But she was in the Almighty arms of God, 
and she had not to work alone. She had 
worked for the Lord many years, but now 
she was working with Him, and He could 
go before, and “ make the crooked places 
straight.” 

And as she entered her room she found 
her dear companion sleeping. She quietly 
knelt by the bedside, and prayed to God 
for her dear husband, for she knew he was 
a Christian, but he had grown luke-warm 
toward his Maker, through the care and 


71 


THREE MORAL GIRLS. 


perplexities of a prosperous business life, 
so she now prayed fervently for the dear 
one, that God would bring him back into 
the fold, and help him to surrender all to 
Jesus. And she promised her Master that 
night she would do all in her power to help 
get him there by believing God would an- 
swer her prayer, for she felt the glory of 
the Lord had risen upon her. God had 
said she and her house should be saved, 
and she believed it, and she retired, quietly 
resting on His Word. 


72 


CHAPTER VIII 


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Six whole months had intervened since 
the preceding chapter. We left the Good- 
win family with such happy results, and 
we find Ella wending her way, with a hap- 
py, peaceful smile resting on her face, 
toward the house of her friend Ruth. She 
had been invited by Mrs. Carleton, 
Ruthie’s mother, to spend the afternoon 
with her, and visit a sick woman, so she 
had come laden with goodies. What a 
contrast from the last time we saw her 
talking with her friends ! She was indeed 
a different girl. With a happy smile she 
ran up the steps and rang the bell, and in 
a few seconds was greeted warmly by 
Ruth and her mother, and a nice little 
surprise awaited her on her entrance. She 


75 


THREE MORAL GIRLS. 


found Josie and Aunt Abbie Parker had 
called. Oh, how pleasant it seemed, and 
how she rattled on, the same Ella, only a 
great deal nicer, so Josie said. 

But Aunt Parker was only going to 
stay a little while, so they must make the 
most of their time. 

“ Dear girls,” said Aunt Parker, “ what 
sweet changes the dear Lord has brought 
about in you in these few months past! 
Here I find you going to visit the sick and 
poor, laden with good things for their 
comfort, and I hear,” said she, smiling, 
“ that Ella is actually going to have a sew- 
ing bee at her house next Wednesday, to 
make up clothing for those destitute chil- 
dren that she used to dread to hear so 
much about, and that she really enjoys it, 
and not only that, she is trying to get 


76 


THREE MORAL GIRLS. 


every one interested in the work; in fact, 
she has become a real Home Missionary, 
and J osie, too, is making a sprightly little 
worker for the Lord. 

“ Is it true, Josie, what I hear about 
that Foreign Missionary? ” But it called 
such a blush to Josie’s face, she only said, 
“ Never mind, Josie. I only heard he had 
become intensely interested in a certain 
little girl of our acquaintance, and I was 
so delighted. But I will not be anxious, 
as I presume I shall know all the particu- 
lars in good time.” 

“ Don’t blush so, Josie,” cried Ruth. 

“ I should think you had better stop,” 
said Ella, “ unless you want that poor 
child to run away. Well, I did n’t know 
we were coming here to talk about these 
things — let’s change the subject,” cried 


77 


THREE MORAL GIRLS. 


Ella. She was very much afraid they 
would speak about the minister who went 
home with her from prayer-meeting the 
other night. 

“You have n’t told us how your mother 
is, Ella,” said Mrs. Carleton, as she en- 
tered the room; “we expected her with 
you.” 

“ Mamma is very well, thank you — she 
has callers from the country, a sick friend 
and wife. Mamma was talking to them of 
the love of Jesus, and the sick man was 
quite interested about her healing last 
week. You have heard about it, have n’t 
you, Mrs. Parker? She was very sick one 
night with a terrible pneumonia cold ; 
could not get her breath, coughed all 
night, and would not have lived, for it was 
a fight for fife every moment; but a dear 


78 


THREE MORAL GIRLS. 


child of God, full of faith in God’s prom- 
ises, prayed for her and she was healed 
right away.” “ These signs shall follow 
them that believe — they shall lay hands 
on the sick and they shall recover.” — 
Mark 17:18. 

“ Oh, how sweet, how glorious ! Preci- 
ous Jesus!” said Mrs. Carleton. 

“ Blessed Holy Saviour,” said Aunt 
Parker, “ just like Him — He will always 
answer our cry; we only have to believe 
He hears us to know we have the answer. 
Oh, how many times the dear Lord has 
healed my sick body, and made it well, in 
answer to my own prayers! Bless God 
for such a Saviour! How He blessed you, 
Ella, in healing your dear mother! ” 

“Yes, indeed; and it has wonderfully 
strengthened my faith. I know He can 


79 


THREE MORAL GIRLS. 


do all things, and will for us, if we only 
trust Him to do so. I know I love Him 
better every day I live, and I do want my 
dear brother to find Christ,” and Ella 
could say no more. 

“ But believing prayer will bring him 
all right,” said Josie. 

“Yes, dear, and I am sure we will all 
hold Bertie up to Him in the arms of 
our faith, won’t we, Ruth? ” said Mrs. 
Carleton. 

“ Yes, indeed,” said Ruth, for it was her 
turn to blush now. But Ella put her arms 
round her, and gave her such a dear, sis- 
terly kiss that all were satisfied to let God 
work, knowing it would all come out for 
His honor and glory. 

“ Well, I must be going, dear ones,” 
said Mrs. Parker. 


80 


THREE MORAL GIRLS. 


“ Now be sure and come next Wednes- 
day,” said Ella. “ Don’t disappoint us, 
will you, Mrs. Parker, for Mamma is 
anxious to see you? ” 

“ I will come and be glad to, the Lord 
willing,” for she never committed herself, 
only as she left it with the Lord. 

“ Are you going to send any money be- 
side the clothing? ” 

“ I had not thought of it,” said Ella. 

“ I had,” said Josie, “ but did not know 
whether to give it at that time or wait till 
some evening meeting at our house.” 

“ Why, that is something new, J osie,” 
said Aunt Abbie, as she looked lovingly 
at Josie. 

“ Well, two or three friends spoke to us 
about it, and Mamma and I talked it over, 
and Mr. Spencer thought it would be very 


81 


THREE MORAL GIRLS. 


nice to hold a meeting there before he went 
away, and I thought I would do what I 
could to raise funds for the children.” 

“ Why, Josie, what a worker you are,” 
said Ella, “ and no one would suspect it of 
you ! I would n’t wonder if you have got 
a lot of money started now without telling 
us a word of it.” 

“ Yes, and got ahead of us all,” cried 
Ruth. 

“ But when thou doest alms, let not thy 
left hand know what thy right hand do- 
eth,” laughed Josie, “ but I have started a 
little, and am in hopes to have more.” 

“ Well, I am glad I spoke — I will give 
you fifteen dollars ; perhaps that will help 
3^ou some,” said Aunt Abbie. 

“ Indeed it will, and I shall be real glad 
of it.” 


82 


THREE MORAL GIRLS. 


“ I know you will do real well, Josie, 
for every one will help you; I am sure it 
could not be a better cause. Well, I really 
must go now. Good-bye, and God bless 
you all.” 

“ But, Oh, I should be so pleased to 
have you stay to tea to-night, Mrs. 
Parker, could n’t you, Josie, dear? ” 

“Not to-night, dear, some other time, 
hut we will come to the sewing bee, if pos- 
sible, next Wednesday, and mother will be 
delighted to come, too. Good-bye.” And 
so they parted. 


83 


s'" 


CHAPTER IX 


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“ Now, we must go to see Mrs. Nelson 
right away, girls, or she may think we are 
not coming. Poor woman, she is so dis- 
tressed, and has been sick so long — we 
must cheer her up as much as we can. She 
has such a large family of children, too.’’ 

“ She has no husband, I believe you 
said? ” 

“No, she is a widow with five small 
children, and has a very hard time, for she 
has been sick a long while.” 

“ But we will be so glad to help her, 
won’t we, Ruth? ” said Ella, now aroused 
to her duty, and fully interested. 

They found Mrs. Nelson quite pleased 
to see them. She was a frank, good- 
natured, and a very hard working woman 


87 


THREE MORAL GIRLS. 


before she was taken sick, honest and up- 
right in character, and one who would do 
all she could to help herself, so it had come 
ver}^ hard on her and the little ones when 
sickness had come, to be obliged to accept 
charity. 

Her husband had been taken from her 
four years previous, and she had done 
nobly in supporting her children, until 
this last year, when sickness had over- 
thrown her labors, so she had become quite 
discouraged. But Jesus says: “Come 
unto me all ye that labor and are heavy 
laden, and I v/ill give you rest.” And in 
her sickness, sorrow and distress she had 
turned to Him for that sweet rest and 
comfort of which she had read, and God 
had sent these kind friends, for she as yet 
understood but very little about the 


88 


THREE MORAL GIRLS. 


mercies God had for her. She was willing 
to learn of Him, and was eagerly seeking, 
hungering and thirsting after righteous- 
ness, and our Lord says, “ They shall be 
filled.’’ 

Although she had five children she was 
comparatively a young woman, and our 
Ella took quite a fancy to her. Ruth and 
Ella both were very fond of singing, and 
as they neared the door they heard her 
singing a sweet lullaby to her youngest 
child, in such a beautiful, clear voice that 
she had quite taken Ella’s heart by storm. 
After they had talked a while, Ella said; 

“We heard you singing when we came 
in, did we not? ” 

“ Oh, I was only trying to get Jennie to 
sleep.” 

“ But it was a beautiful song,” cried 


89 


THREE MORAL GIRLS. 


Ruth, for she did love music so, “ and you 
did sing it lovely.” 

Poor Mrs. Nelson only blushed at the 
compliment, and said: “ I used to sing 
once, but have only sang cradle songs of 
late years.” 

“ Oh, I knew the voice was a trained 
one, and I would n’t mind hearing the 
cradle song again.” 

“ Now, Ella,” said Ruth, “ I know Mrs. 
Nelson is very fond of music, and would 
appreciate a song from Miss Ella Good- 
win, and I have no doubt it would cheer 
her immensely.” 

“ Oh! ” cried Mrs. Nelson, “ if you only 
would. Do, please, sing for me — I think 
I would never be weary again if I could 
hear some one sing as — (and she looked 
very lovingly at Mrs. Carleton) — the 


90 


THREE MORAL GIRLS. 


friend that you brought with you one 
day.’’ 

Yes, dear, I remember, and you know 
Jesus loves to hear singing as much as 
prayer, for He speaks so much about it in 
His Word. Ella, dear, sing ‘ Divine 
Love,” won’t you, please? ” 

“ Yes, Ella, I do love that hymn so 
much,” assented Ruth, and Ella wishing 
to do something for the Master, to cheer 
the poor, sorrowing heart, began in low, 
tremulous tones at first, but as she became 
lost in her Saviour’s love the tones grew 
fuller, richer and more heavenly, until not 
a trace of Ella was found, but Christ, only 
Christ, was to be seen and heard. 


91 


DIVINE LOVE. 


How precious is Jesus, the great King above, 

How He blesses His children with whispers of love. 
How gently He leads when their faltering steps 
Forget the right pathway to His heavenly rest. 

Chorus: O Saviour divine. 

All Thy promises mine! 

My soul waiteth on Thee, 

I shall ever live. 

For trusting my Lord and abiding in Him 
The treasures of His kingdom to me He 
will give. 

How great is His love to the sinner as well. 

He left His home in glory and died on the cross 
That they might be free from destruction and hell. 
For He came to seek and save the loss. 

O sinner, believe Him and flee while you may 
To the arms of your Saviour, who was raised the 
third day , 

To live evermore, make intercession for you; 

He’s the precious truth, the life, the way. 

Then ask and receive, that your joy may be full, 

O believe it, dear ones, it is God’s holy word. 

It was written for you, take it then and rejoice 
That the great King of glory hath made you His 
choice. 

Then your soul shall be washed and made whiter 
than snow 

In the blood of the Lord, and the Holy Ghost power 
Fill body and soul for the glory of God, 

And His indwelling spirit be thine every hour. 


THREE MORAL GIRLS. 


When she had ceased her song it was 
some time before a word was spoken. At 
last Ella broke the silence and said : “ I 
love that hymn because the Holy Ghost is 
in it.” 

“ Yes, indeed,” said Mrs. Nelson, “ I 
could feel Christ in it; I don’t think I 
could ever forget it, and with the help of 
God I will live nearer to Him than ever 
before.” 

“ Well, some time I will sing more for 
you,” said Ella, for she could see the dear 
woman had been strengthened, and she 
fully intended to help her all she could. 

“ Now, Ruthie, sing one,” said Mrs. 
Carleton, “ and then we will have a word 
of prayer, and go, for there is another 
dear one I would like to call on before we 
return home.” 


93 


THREE MORAL GIRLS. 

“ Oh, yes, yes, yes,’’ cried the eldest of 
Mrs. Nelson’s family, a bright little girl 
of eleven years, for she had inherited her 
mother’s love for music, and so Ruthie be- 
gan without further delay, and sang in her 
clear soprano: 

>IY SAVIOUR AND I. 


Blessed be our Lord and Saviour, 

I will praise His Holy name; 

He has washed me in the fountain, 
Made me pure and clean within. 

Yes! it was His blood that cleansed me 
And freed me from all stain. 

It will bring me to that blessed haven. 
Where I shall with Him reign. 

Joy! O joy! and bliss forever, 

I surely shall see His face. 

For He calls me “ His beloved ” 

And imparts to me His grace. 

He lets me walk in His own strength. 
He heals my every pain. 

And I will ever while I live 
Sing praises to His name. 


94 


THREE MORAL GIRLS. 


When I send in my petitions 
O how quick He answers me; 

The heavenly Bridegroom whispers, 

“ I reveal myself to thee.” 

Tenderly and close He holds me 
To His loving heart. 

” Fear thou not,” He gently whispers, 
“ My love from thee shall not depart.” 


She certainly was repaid for singing, 
for the children had all gathered around 
her lovingly, and expressed their pleasure 
by drinking in every word, if you could 
judge by bright eyes and wide open 
mouths. Truly, as she sat and gazed at 
Mrs. Nelson for a moment she felt she 
would be willing to dp almost anything 
for her Saviour, to bring such a sweet look 
of peace and happiness as was depicted on 
her face at that time. 

“ Oh! how I do thank you all so much,” 
she said, while tears of joy were glistening 
in her eyes. 


95 


THREE MORAL GIRLS. 


‘‘ Now, let us have a word from Him- 
self,” said Mrs. Carleton, and she read 
from the fourteenth of John, commencing 
with: “ Let not your heart be troubled,” 
and when she had finished that beautiful 
chapter, she asked all the dear ones to 
kneel, and she poured her heart out in 
prayer to God for that suffering family, 
and we know He answered prayer. Ruth 
and Ella both prayed to Jesus for the dear 
ones God had allowed them to comfort. 


96 


CHAPTER X 



THREE MORAL GIRLS. 


They next visited two sisters, one of 
whom was very sick with a trouble far be- 
yond the reach of earthly help. She had 
just come from the Hospital — had been 
there many times, but found no perma- 
nent relief, and dear Mrs. Carleton talked 
of Christ’s healing power to her, and as 
she listened she seemed somewhat calmed, 
and said: “Oh, do you believe that I 
might touch the hem of His garment and 
be healed! If I could only believe His 
promises so I might be well. She heaved 
£L sigh so heart-rending, Ella could stand 
it no longer, almost feeling as badly as the 
poor sick woman herself, but she began to 
pray in silence to her Saviour. 

“ Well, dear sister, there is nothing too 
hard for our Lord to do. He says: ‘ Is 
my hand shortened that it cannot save? ’ 


99 


THREE MORAL GIRLS. 


Oh, no. He says: ‘ If ye abide in me, and 
my words abide in you, ye shall ask what 
ye will and it shall be done unto you.’ — 
John 15:7. So you see, dear sister, 
Jesus is quite willing to hear and answer 
your prayers,” said Mrs. Carleton. 

“ Oh, yes. He would do so for you, I 
have no doubt, but I am afraid He would 
not answer for me.” 

“ Well, dear. He says if we ask in faith 
He will answer.” 

“ Oh, dear, I could never ask in faith.” 

“ Well, then, it would be ‘ according to 
your faith.’ God says if we shall ask any- 
thing in His will He will hear and 
answer.” 

“ Ohl perhaps it would not be in His 
will to make me well.” 

“ Are you a Christian, my sister? ” 


100 


THREE MORAL GIRLS. 


‘‘ Yes, I believe I am.” 

“ Well, then, you certainly have a right 
to the promises, for ‘ Himself took our in- 
firmities and bare our sickness.’ So if we 
abide in Him, and ask Him and trust 
Him, believing. He says, “ Yes,” He will 
heal us, and give of His own health and 
strength. It is surely done, and we are 
healed by His own divine power. And 
we also at the same time receive a special 
spiritual blessing. I never knew any one 
to be healed by divine power who did not 
receive a great spiritual blessing at the 
same time of healing.” 

“ But could n’t you ask the Lord to heal 
me without my faith? ” 

“No, because you are a Child of God, 
and if you could not believe God was go- 
ing to answer, how could I pray in faith 


101 


THREE MORAL GIRLS. 


for you? Why, the dear Lord would not 
grant such a petition as that. He says we 
must believe ; we get nothing on any other 
ground. He says, ‘ Ask,’ but we must be- 
lieve. His Word is ‘Yea and amen ’ to 
us, just as He says, or we get no answer. 
Why, sister, how could I pray? I should 
have to say: ‘ Lord, she does not believe 
You — she says so — will You heal her? ’ 
No, He says He answers believing prayer, 
not the prayer of unbelief.” 

“ Oh! I am so glad you came to see me, 
and I do want you to pray for me, sister. 
Won’t you ask the dear Lord to give me 
His own faith, that I may take hold of 
His precious promise for myself, and be 
healed for Himself, that I, too, may be 
used for Him? ” 

“ Yes, I will, and He will answer, for 


102 


THREE MORAL GIRLS. 


He heals for His own honor and glory, 
and He has heard your cry, and we will 
remember you, dear, and ask the Father 
for you. Don’t you know. He says in 
His Word: ‘ Serve the Lord your God, 
and I will take sickness away from the 
midst of you.’ — Exod. 23 :25. ‘ Let us 

return unto the Lord and He will heal us.’ 
— Hos. 6:1. ‘I will restore health unto 
thee.’ — Jer. 30:17, and again: ‘I have 
heard thy prayers; I have seen thy tears; 
I will heal thee.’ — 2 Kings 20 :5. ‘ Thy 
health shall spring forth speedily.’ — Isa. 
58:8. ‘ He laid His hands on every one 

of them and healed them.’ — Luke 4 :40. 
‘ The prayer of faith shall save the sick, 
and the Lord shall raise him up ; and if he 
have committed sins they shall be forgiven 
him.’ ” — James 5 :15. 


103 


THREE MORAL GIRLS. 


“ Well, I can’t understand, if God is as 
good as you say He is, Mrs. Carleton, why 
He should let my sister who has always 
professed to love Him, and been His child 
so long, be sick like this. She is as good a 
Christian as anybody I know,” said Mrs. 
Pine. 

“ Oh! sister,” exclaimed Mrs. Munroe, 
“ don’t speak so. He knows best, and it 
must be right somehow, or He never 
would permit it. I do know I have been 
nearer Him since I was sick — perhaps 
He could not get me close to Him any 
other way.” 

“ Well, it seems to me a pretty kind of 
love to His child; anyhow, it don’t seem 
very merciful to me.” 

“ Oh, dear Mrs. Pine, if you knew the 
dear Lord you could not speak so, or mur- 
mur at His doings,” and Ruth who had 


104 


THREE MORAL GIRLS 


not spoken before, said; “ The dear Lord 
had a wise purpose in it all.” 

“ Yes,” said Ella, “ all things work to- 
gether for good to them that love God.” 
— Romans 8 :20. 

Mrs. Carleton answered by singing in 
clear, sweet, low tones, one of William 
Cowper’s songs ; 

“ God moves in a mysterious way 
His wonders to perform, 

He plants His footsteps in the sea, 

And rides upon the storm. 

Deep in unfathomable mines 
Of never failing skill. 

He treasures up His bright designs. 

And works His sovereign will. 

Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take. 

The clouds ye so much dread 

Are big with mercy, and shall break 
With blessings on your head. 

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense. 

But trust Him for His grace; 

Behind a frowning Providence 
He hides a smiling face. 


105 


THREE MORAL GIRLS. 


His purposes will ripen fast. 
Unfolding every hour — 

The bud may have a bitter taste, 
But sweet will be the flower. 

Blind unbelief is sure to err. 

And scan His work in vain — 
God is His own interpreter. 

And He will make it plain.” 


“ Oh! how sweet and how true,” said 
Mrs. Monroe, with tear-stained eyes. “ I 
know He has permitted it for a wise pur- 
pose, and it must be for some teaching for 
me, and I believe now it is His will to heal 
me, if I could only believe enough to take 
this divine healing from His dear hand.” 

“Yes, dear, ‘ If thou can’st believe, all 
things are possible to him that believeth.’ 
— Mark 9 ;23. So you see, dear, you only 
have to believe Jesus, for the work has 
already been done for you on the cross. 
Our dear Saviour paid the debt and set 


106 


THREE MORAL GIRLS. 


free, whosoever would believe on Him and 
obey Him.” 

“ Well, now, we will have a word of 
prayer, but first, dear Mrs. Pine, don’t 
you want to give your heart to Jesus this 
afternoon? Perhaps He is just waiting 
for you to give up to Him before He heals 
your dear sister.” 

“ You don’t think I stand in her way, do 
you? ” said Mrs. Pine. “ I have tried 
many times, but it never seemed to do any 
good.” 

“ Have you ever made a definite sur- 
render? Have you ever asked the Lord to 
forgive your sins, and wash you in the 
blood? And have you ever given your- 
self wholly to Him, and believed He took 
you for time and eternity? ” 

“ Well, I can’t say I believed as much 


107 


THREE MORAL GIRLS. 


as that, or I should not have stood outside 
the gate so long, I suppose. But I would 
love to be a Christian, if I could be a good, 
true one, but I see so many who profess, 
but no one would ever call them Chris- 
tians.’’ 

“ Well, dear, you have fallen into the 
common error of watching other people 
— you must not follow others — Jesus 
only is our pattern — only Jesus. If we 
get our eyes on people we shall always go 
wrong. It is Christ we are to look at.” 

“ I have a little tract with me on con- 
version. Would you like it? Would you 
read it?” 

“ Oh, yes, thank you.” 

“ It is, ‘ Are you satisfied? ’ ” 

“ No, I am not satisfied.” 

“ Well, would you like to have us pray 


108 


THREE MORAL GIRLS. 


for you that the dear Lord will just now 
make you His own? Are you willing to 
give yourself to Him just now, and give 
up to Him forever, and trust Him to 
cleanse you from all the stain of sin? ” 

While Mrs. Carleton talked, Mrs. 
Monroe, Ruth and Ella were praying to 
the dear Lord for that soul, that God 
would hear and answer for her. Oh, how 
earnestly they prayed, and the dear Lord 
did reward them, for presently she sob- 
bingly said, “ Oh! I am so tired of myself, 
I do want to do right; I do give myself. 
Oh, do pray for me,” and she broke down 
completely. 

“ Thank God, thank God,” cried the 
dear ones in concert, and dear Mrs. Carle- 
ton gently led the poor heart-burdened 
woman to Christ, and they all prayed for 
her, and the dear sick one also. 


109 


THREE MORAL GIRLS. 


Then what peaceful rest was found! 
What joy! Oh! what a blessed time the 
two girls had. 


110 


CHAPTER XI 





“ It pays to be a Christian,” said Ella, 
on their way home. 

“ Yes, indeed,” said Ruth. “ What hap- 
piness, mother, to see that dear one come 
to Christ, and how Jesus always answers 
your prayers.” 

“Not mine alone, dear. I felt the 
prayers of both you girls, as well as Mrs. 
Monroe’s, and I know Jesus did hear. 
Truly, God’s Holy Spirit was poured out 
upon us this afternoon, and it was a good 
token to us for Mrs. Monroe. I believe 
the dear Lord will heal her in answer to 
prayer. We will hold her m prayer, and 
ask Aunt Abbie to join us. Oh! what a 
blessed life to lead.” 

“ Do you go every day to visit, Mrs. 
Carleton? ” 


113 


THREE MORAL GIRLS. 


“No, dear, not every day, but mostly 
every day, when He does not send some 
one to me at home, or lead me otherwise. 
I want to ' sow beside all waters,’ you 
know.” 

“ I think I would like to go every day,” 
said Ella. 

“ How much more my life is to me now 
than when I was going to dances and the- 
atres,” said Ruth. 

“ I know Josie loves to visit. She has 
been quite a number of times with sister 
Abbie and her mother. But here we are 
at home now — we are just in time for 
tea. We did stay a little late at Mrs. 
Monroe’s,” said Mrs. Carleton. 

“ Oh, never mind — I would be willing 
to go without tea for the blessings re- 
ceived, would n’t you, Ruth? ” 


114 


THREE MORAL GIRLS. 


“Yes, indeed, but I guess it is not 
necessary, for we have still twenty min- 
utes before it is ready, and we can get 
nicely rested before then, and Nelly will 
not have to wait tea for us either.” 

“ She is a Christian, is she not, Ruth? ” 
“Oh, yes; mother would not love to 
have a girl that was not. She came from 
a family of unbelievers, you know, but she 
has found the Saviour very dear to her 
since she came to us. She is a splendid 
girl — we really could not part with her.” 

“ There is the bell. Now we can do full 
justice to Nelly’s supper, I know, for I 
am real hungry — the walk has given me 
quite an appetite,” said Mrs. Carleton, 
“ and I hope you girls will follow my ex- 
ample and eat a good, hearty meal, for I 
know dear Nelly has something nice for 
us ; she always does have.” 


115 


THREE MORAL GIRLS. 


And truly everything did look so invit- 
ing — fresh warm tea rolls so snowy 
white, with sweet yellow butter, and Oh, 
such rare peaches, served with cream and 
sugar was enough to do one good, and 
when the cake was passed to Ella she felt 
almost like refusing, for she had eaten so 
many of the snowy biscuits, but Ruth said 
Nelly would feel bad to have any one 
slight her cake, for it was a new receipt of 
her mother’s, and, of course, it was nice, 
so they all partook of the rich dainty, and 
found it excellent. 

After tea, Ruth sang some favorite 
hymns, with guitar accompaniment, while 
in her turn, Ella played the piano, and 
sang some of her beautiful pieces. Mrs. 
Carleton, too, played upon the autoharp, 
and sang “ Nearer, My God, to Thee 


116 


THREE MORAL GIRLS. 


then she asked the two girls and Ellen to 
join her in singing ‘‘ Praise God, from 
whom all blessings flow.” Then she took 
down the family Bible, and was just about 
to read a portion of the Scripture, when 
the door bell rang, and Bertie and his 
mother called for Ella. 

“ Oh! how nice — I did not expect you 
were coming for me, so I was going early 
— why did you not come before?” said 
Ella. 

“We had callers, and had to wait until 
they went,” laughed Bertie, thereby show- 
ing his impatience to get over to see Ruth. 

Ella laughed merrily, and Mrs. Carle- 
ton said it was a pity he could not have 
come before, to join in the singing, for 
they had had such a nice concert. 

“No one can be more sorry than my- 


117 


THREE MORAL GIRLS. 


self/’ said he, looking at Ruth as he spoke, 
as though no one hut her need be ad- 
dressed — “in fact, I don’t think he saw 
any one else,” said Ella, aside to Mrs. 
Carleton. 

“We were just about to read in the 
Word, Bertie, when you came in, but if 
you and the girls will sing a piece together 
we will have our reading afterwards.” 

So Ruth and Ella were glad to sing an- 
other hjTOn. Bertie’s voice did blend so 
well with Ruth’s clear soprano, and Ella 
would accommodate to-night and sing 
alto, so there was a trio. 

“ Now, Ella, I feel like asking you to 
sing that good old hymn, ‘ Just as I Am ’ ; 
it has been in my mind ever since I came 
home. Oh! I do love that so,” said dear 
Mrs. Carleton, ever mindful of the Spirit, 
and Ella was ready to obey. 


118 


THREE MORAL GIRLS. 


Surely they were all praying for Bertie 
while they were singing. 

“ Oh! what a hymn, when it is sung in 
the spirit, and certainly it was to-night,” 
Ella. 

“ Now,” said Mrs. Carleton, “ I am 
going to ask dear Ella to play it again, 
and all sing it together this time, Ellen as 
well as the rest.” 

Bertie’s eyes were moist as they ended 
the grand old hymn. No comment was 
made, and as he took a seat between Ruth 
and Mrs. Carleton all felt it would not be 
long before he found the Saviour dear to 
his heart. 

Mrs. Carleton read the ninety-first 
psalm, and she and Mrs. Goodwin talked 
upon it, and dear Mrs. Carleton told the 
afternoon’s experience. All felt the 


119 


THREE MORAL GIRLS. 


power of the Spirit, and after prayer, the 
Goodwins bade their dear friends good- 
night, and started on their homeward way, 
each well pleased with their pleasant 
visit. 


120 


CHAPTER XII 


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Bertie did not speak until they were 
most half way home; then, abruptly said, 
“ Ella, it won’t do for me to go to the Car- 
letons any more. I can’t stand it.” 

“ Why, what is the matter? Don’t they 
treat you well? ” 

“ Yes, too well.” 

“ I can’t see that yet — my brother 
can’t be treated too well.” 

“ Pshaw, Sis, I tell you, I am a hypo- 
crite.” 

“ A what? ” said the frightened girl. 

“ Yes, a deep, double-dyed hypocrite, 
and I tell you, I will not go there any 
more, at present any way.” 

Silence followed this remark, for poor 


123 


THREE MORAL GIRLS. 


Ella did not know just what to say. Soon 
her brother continued, as though she knew 
his every thought: “ Sis, you know she is 
a Christian ; I am not, and I am not good 
enough to go there, and I will not pretend 
I am.” 

“ Oh, dear, dear brother, is that what 
you mean? Oh! why can’t you be a child 
of God? Did you not tell me once — ” 
and she lost her courage and stopped. But 
Bertie Avas confused, and so did not notice 
her, and she gained fresh courage, and 
said, “ Oh, Bertie, it is my greatest desire 
now, for I always felt bad for standing in 
your way that night. Oh! my brother, it 
is so easy to give yourself to Him, and He 
is so ready and willing to take you into 
His dear, loving arms. Oh! let me who 
loves you more than any one ever could. 


124 


THREE MORAL GIRLS. 


let me help you to find Him, because you 
could find Him so much easier than I did. 
I was so wicked and rebellious, but. Oh, 
Bertie, you never was so.” 

“ Now, stop, dear, this is all nonsense; 
you don’t think for one minute I would do 
that now, do you? Why, she would think 
I did it just to get into her good graces. 
No, I cannot; I am not good enough. I 
tell you that ends it.” 

“ Oh, my brother, Jesus can make you 
good enough for any one, and to feel your 
need is surely conviction enough. Would 
you grieve Ruthie that way? ” 

“ See here, Ella, don’t speak that way 
to me,” said Bertie, in a low tone (for 
their mother was behind them — she 
wanted to walk slowly, so she had told the 
children to go on, for the dear mother 


125 


THREE MORAL GIRLS. 


dearly loved to see them together; “ they 
loved each other so,” she said). ‘‘You 
know she don’t care enough for me to feel 
grieved if I leave her alone. She is a good 
girl, and always was, but she is a Chris- 
tian now, and would think it all right if 
— if I did keep away. She will in time, 
I suppose, marry some minister or 
bishop,” said he, with a hurried voice, as 
though it was a very painful subject to 
think about, and harder still to be uttered. 

But Ella was a woman, and a keen one, 
and she could see clearer than he could. 
But was it right to tell him? Wasn’t 
Ruth her dearest friend? Yes, but was 
not Bertie her dear, dear brother, and 
was n’t he suffering? If he had not been 
she would have laughed to see him make 
such a big mistake that any one else could 


126 


THREE MORAL GIRLS. 


see so clearly, thought she, so she said ; 

“ Bert, if I was a man, and I loved a 
girl, I would not take it for granted she 
wanted to marry any one else until I had 
first found out she did not love me,” and 
she laughed merrily, and Mrs. Goodwin 
thought how happy her darlings were. “ I 
think men on that line are very stupid 
creatures,” said she. 

“You have had a wide experience, 
surely, as your age will indicate,” sug- 
gested Bert. 

“ But seriously now, if you thought she 
did care, would n’t you want to be like the 
— rest of us, Bert? You know He never 
would turn you away, don’t you? And I 
guess some folks would grieve if they 
could n’t see somebody. However, I’ll tell 
her what you say.” 


127 


THREE MORAL GIRLS. 


“ There! Stop now, Sis, you have said 
enough, and you are one of the best, yes, 
the very best sisters in all the world.” And 
even out in the moonlight he gave her such 
a hug that she felt quite certain she had 
helped her brother. And, Oh! she would 
pray to God so for him now, and so would 
Ruthie and all the others. Sweet sleep 
came to her eyelids that night because she 
had done what she could. 


128 


CHAPTER XIII 



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But Bertie — did he sleep? Oh, no. 
He wondered if Sis had not been mis- 
taken. He loved Ruthie so. Did she care 
for him any? Oh! these doubts and fears! 
Then he would recall the tender looks and 
glances of his idol, and torment himself in 
a hundred ways until with his faint- 
hearted fears he, almost exhausted, threw 
himself upon his couch, to toss about until 
the first gleam of the rising sun streamed 
into the eastern window. When tired and 
worn he dropped into a fitful slumber, to 
be awakened with these restful words: 
“ Trust Me.” 

Oh! how he started up, and again and 
again that voice seemed to say: “Come 


131 


THREE MORAL GIRLS. 


unto me all ye weary and heavy laden, and 
I will give you rest.” Oh! if he could only 
trust. Oh! if he could only find Him! 
He cried out in agony, “ Oh, God, receive 
me and save me, that I, too, may be 
worthy to follow Thee; save me now, for 
Christ’s sake. I will trust Thee.” 

Poor Bertie had let go, and Christ had 
accepted him, for the peace of God had 
come into his heart, and he knew he had 
found the Saviour. And he lay sleeping 
so sweetly when his sister came to call him 
to breakfast, that she tip-toed out of the 
room so softly for fear of disturbing him, 
that he did not come down until mother’s 
anxiety caused her to go a second time to 
waken the sleeper. 

But, Oh! the joyful news was too good 
to keep, and after a hurried meal, mother 


132 


THREE MORAL GIRLS. 


and sister were told of the happy truth, 
and strange to say, Bertie was not one 
mite worried now about Ruth. He seemed 
to feel Christ had made all things right, 
which indeed proved true, for when he 
asked her, she said “ yes ” so sweetly, and 
all were pleased. For was he not an ex- 
ceptional young man? And the good 
work went on, “ The Lord working with 
them, and confirming the Word with 
signs following.” 

And our dear Ella brought many dear 
souls to the feet of her blessed Lord, and 
was greatly used of Him. And, Oh, one 
day her joy was great. She was singing 
praises to her heavenly king when her 
father called her and asked if she would 
sing an old hymn for him that had been 
in his mind two or three days. It was. 


133 


THREE MORAL GIRLS. 


“ Remember Me, Remember Me,” “ And 
When Thou Sittest on Thy Throne, Dear 
Lord, Remember Me.” How her heart 
beat with joy as she assented to her dear 
father’s request! 

Truly, the dear heavenly father would 
remember him. Surely, her mother’s 
prayers, as well as hers and Bertie’s, were 
being heard. Oh, how she prayed, when 
after the song had been sung she looked 
up for the smile of approval, but found 
the glistening tears were in those dear 
eyes, and she knew that her father had re- 
turned to his God. 

What a rejoicing was there in that 
happy household that night! Not one out 
of the fold. Surely, her cup was running 
over. 


134 


THREE MORAL GIRLS. 


And when about a year after, the young 
bishop asked her parents for the hand of 
their daughter in marriage, and the con- 
sent had been gained, she felt the dear 
Lord had led her truly into great happi- 
ness, for surely God was with her. How 
He satisfied the hungry soul! 


135 




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And dear little Josie — what about her? 
Why, ever since that eventful night at the 
prayer-meeting, when she chose the Lord’s 
house as her place of refuge and rest. He 
never disappointed her. She had given 
her all to Christ; He had given Himself 
to her. She worked early and late for the 
Master, and when her husband, Mr. 
Spencer, returned to the Mission Field, 
she gladly went with him, for she had a 
true missionary spirit, and was ready to 
lay down her life for her Saviour, if need 
be. 

Oh ! how could she leave her dear 
mother? How could her mother let her 
go? She could go to save dying souls. 
She went for Jesus, who died for her. She 


139 


THREE MORAL GIRLS. 


went to tell others the story, and Christ’s 
arms were around her. No harm can come 
to the trusting child, as was proved, for in 
three years she returned to visit her dear 
mother for a while, as business had called 
Mr. Spencer home again for a brief 
season. 

And, Oh, what rejoicing! And the dear 
mother — did she not trust her child to 
one who was able and willing to do more 
for her than she could even ask or think. 

So may God hold His dear ones, and 
keep those who trust Him in peace and 
quiet, giving them souls for their hire, for 
“ Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, 
neither hath entered into the heart of man 
the things which God hath prepared for 
them that love Him.” — I. Cor. 2:9. 

Mrs. Goodwin was glad and happy to 


140 


THREE MORAL GIRLS. 


give her beloved daughter to Christ, to be 
used of Him any way He saw best to 
bring souls to His blessed feet, and He 
greatly used the dear mother for His 
honor and glory. 

So we take leave of all our dear ones, 
leaving them all working for the Master. 

Mr. and Mrs. Bertie Goodwin are do- 
ing grand work among the young people, 
and a great revival is going on in the vine- 
yard of the Lord. 

Dear Aunt Abbie, as so many call her, 
is still bringing in sheaves, and doing what 
her hand finds to do for the Master. 

God bless our moral girls who stand 
boldly for the right, and let their influence 
be felt for good. 

May Christ add His blessing to this lit- 
tle work. In His Name, founded on facts, 
and written under the direction of the 
Holy Spirit. 



SUNSHINE IN THE 
SHADOWS 



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SUNSHINE IN THE SHADOWS 


God’s Love. 


Herein do we know, God is real. 

Oh, the wonderful love of Jesus. He gave His 
life for you and me. Died for us, shed His last 
drop of blood for you and me that we might be 
saved. 

Let us count on that love. It will never fail us. 

Come, give yourself to Christ now without a mo- 
ment’s delay and God will call you His child for- 
ever. 

His love is boundless. He says: “ Him that com- 
eth unto me, I will in no wise cast out.” 

God sent not His Son into the world to condemn 
the world, but that the world through Him might 
be saved. — John 3. 17. 

Hereby perceive we the love of God, because He 
laid down His life for us. — I John 16. 

How can we know that we are the children of 
God? The Spirit itself beareth witness with our 
spirit that we are the children of God. — Rom. 
8. 16. 

And because ye are Sons and Daughters of the 
living God, He hath sent the Spirit of His Son into 
your hearts. 

Love is strong as death, many waters cannot 
quench it. Neither can the floods drown it. For 
God so loved the world that He gave His only be- 
gotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should 
not perish, but have everlasting life. — John 3. 16. 

Then justifled by Him, let us go on unto sanctifi- 
cation. 


Let us receive the Holy Ghost to abide in our 
hearts forever, for this is the will of God concern- 
ing you even your sanctification. Have you re- 
ceived the Holy Ghost since ye believed? — Acts 
19 . 2 . 

Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness. 

Oh, weary, struggling one, 

With heavy care oppressed. 

Come, lean upon His loving arm. 

And find in Him sweet, perfect rest. 

Peace I leave with you. My peace I give unto 
you. Not as the world giveth give I unto you. Let 
not your heart be troubled. Neither let it be afraid. 
Peace I leave with you, this is the Voice of Jesus 
speaking to you just now. You, my sister, who 
need His rest, you dear, troubled ones who have so 
long struggled and seemingly in vain for victories 
for and in Him. 

Remember, it is peace that the world cannot give, 
nor take away. 

Is your burden heavy? Lay it down at His feet, 
and leave it there, Jesus will bear it away. 

There is nothing too hard for our Lord to carry 
for you. He loves you, and His peace passeth all 
understanding. 

Now, the God of Hope fill you with all joy and 
peace in believing that ye may abound in hope. 

Through the power of the Holy Ghost, the God 
of Peace be with you all. 


HOLY COURAGE. 


Let not your heart be troubled, 

Your Saviour stands by your side, 

He says, “ I’ll never leave nor forsake thee, 

I will ever be your guide.” 

Neither let your heart be afraid. 

For He will go before 

And make the crooked places straight; 

For you He has His love in store. 

He is our God, our rock and our salvation. 

His blood cleansetb from sin, from condemnation, 
Though fiercely around us the tempest may rage 
And trials beset us, we are not dismayed. 

O Father, fill our hearts anew 
With Thy fresh love each day. 

That we may not fail when Jesus says, 

“ Go feed my lambs on the broad highway.” 

Go work for Jesus; do what you can 
To lift the sorrow around you; 

If only a cup of cold water you give. 

Your reward is sure, for your Saviour lives. 

He said, “ Ye are by faith made whole,” 

And spake in tones so sweet, 

“ Be thou cleansed in the holy, sacred blood. 

In Me ye are now complete.” 

Delight in the Lord, to His word hold fast; 

He shall give thee the desires of thine heart. 
Commit thy way unto Him and trust. 

And He shall bring it to pass. 


HIMSELF OUR HEALER. 


Happy are His believers 
By His holy promise sealed, 

Who can believe His word and trust His grace, 
For by His stripes we are healed. 

So hasten, my sister, my brother. 

There is pardon and healing, too; 

Get washed in the blood of Jesus, 

There is cleansing and blessing for you. 

He is waiting for you to trust Him 
With that sorrowful burden of yours 
That you thought could never be lifted 
These many, many years. 

Our burden bearer is our defense. 

He never grows weary our sorrows to share; 

Just now look up with confidence. 

He’s waiting to answer your prayer. 

His ear is not heavy that He cannot hear 
Those who cry unto Him in distress; 

His word is life unto those who find them. 

And health to all their flesh. 

O be joyful then, ye children of light. 

And labor with Him while ’tis day. 

For he cometh soon His jewels to crown. 

Go work in His vineyard while you may. 

In His Name, 


THE AUTHOR. 


Oh, how great is Thy goodness, which Thou hast 
laid up for them that fear Thee; which Thou hast 
wrought for them that trust in Thee before the 
sons of men! — Psalm xxxi, 19. 


He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most 
High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 
— Psalm 91, 1. 


I will dwell in the midst of them. — Ezekiel 43, 9. 


Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the 
vines: for our vines have tender grapes. — Song of 
Solomon ii, 15. 


If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and 
drink. — St. John 7, 37. 


The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the 
righteous runneth into it, and is safe. — Proverbs 
xviii. 10. 


Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on the life 
eternal. — I Tim. 6, 12. 


Be strong and of good courage: . . . for the 
Lord thy God, He it is that doth go with thee; He 
will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. — Deuteronomy 
xxxi. 6. 

Out in the highway, out in the by-way, 

Out in the dark paths of sin. 

Go forth, go forth with a loving heart. 

And gather the wand’rers in! 


The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous, 
and His ears are open unto their cry. — Psalm 
34, 15. 


If ye shall ask anything in my name I will do it. 
— St. John 14, 14. 


Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth in- 
iquity. — Micah 7, 18. 


The Lord is ready to save me. — Isaiah 38, 20. 


Go, stand and speak ... to the people all the 
words of this life. — Acts v. 20. 


Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be 
weak: for your work shall be rewarded. — 2 Chron- 
icles XV. 7. 


Watchman, what of the night? The watchman 
said. The morning cometh, and also the night. — 
Isiah xxi. 11, 12. 

See! the shadows lengthen round us. 

Soon the day-dawn will begin; 

Can you leave them lost and lonely? 

Christ is coming; — Call them in. 



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